Idaho Springs, CO vs Palmer Lake, CO: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Palmer Lake, CO has a modeled overall cost index 3.8% lower than Idaho Springs, CO.

Idaho Springs, CO · modeled 2BR rent: $1,930 / month
Palmer Lake, CO · modeled 2BR rent: $1,810 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Idaho Springs, CO and Palmer Lake, CO using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

Current salary in Idaho Springs, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $395/month in Palmer Lake, CO

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $145,254 in Palmer Lake, CO

Regional cost estimates: Idaho Springs, CO uses Denver, CO. Palmer Lake, CO uses Colorado Springs, CO. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.

Overall Cost

↓ 3.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$395

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.7K

Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Idaho Springs, CO

Population:2K

Cost Index:

94.9

100 = national average

Typical Home:$480K

Palmer Lake, CO

Population:3K

Cost Index:

91.3

100 = national average

Typical Home:$505K

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Idaho Springs, CO

The Centennial State

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 2K residents.

Palmer Lake, CO

The Centennial State

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 3K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Idaho Springs, CO vs Palmer Lake, CO

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Category	Idaho Springs, CO	Palmer Lake, CO	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,578/mo	$2,331/mo	↓ $247less	9.6%
Transportation	$1,289/mo	$1,151/mo	↓ $138less	10.7%
Other	$1,564/mo	$1,623/mo	↑ $58.37more	3.7%
All Utilities	$493/mo	$436/mo	↓ $56.33less	11.4%
Groceries	$977/mo	$961/mo	↓ $15.45less	1.6%
Healthcare	$600/mo	$602/mo	↑ $2.26more	0.4%

Housing

↓ 9.6%

Idaho Springs, CO

$2,578

Palmer Lake, CO

$2,331

Difference

$247

less

Transportation

↓ 10.7%

Idaho Springs, CO

$1,289

Palmer Lake, CO

$1,151

Difference

$138

less

Other

↑ 3.7%

Idaho Springs, CO

$1,564

Palmer Lake, CO

$1,623

Difference

$58.37

All Utilities

↓ 11.4%

Idaho Springs, CO

$493

Palmer Lake, CO

$436

Difference

$56.33

less

Groceries

↓ 1.6%

Idaho Springs, CO

$977

Palmer Lake, CO

$961

Difference

$15.45

less

Healthcare

↑ 0.4%

Idaho Springs, CO

$600

Palmer Lake, CO

$602

Difference

$2.26

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,480

To$1,250

↓ $230

1 Bed

From$1,620

To$1,530

↓ $90.00

2 Bed

From$1,930

To$1,810

↓ $120

3 Bed

From$2,520

To$2,520

→ $0

Idaho Springs, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$1,620/mo

Palmer Lake, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530–$1,530/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500

Monthly in Idaho Springs, CO

$7,105

Monthly in Palmer Lake, CO

$395

Difference

Home Values

Idaho Springs

Palmer Lake

$480K

Median Value

$505K

↓ -0.2%

YoY Change

↑ +0.5%

↑ +31.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +25.8%

Homes in Palmer Lake are 5% more expensive than Idaho Springs

Calculate payment - Idaho Springs Calculate payment - Palmer Lake

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Idaho Springs, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Palmer Lake, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Idaho Springs, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

Palmer Lake, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Idaho Springs

Palmer Lake

55 Moderate

Air Quality

49 Good

35.2%

Good Air Days

55.2%

95 High

Climate Risk

94 Moderate

🌊🌪💨

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌪

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

28 days

Heat Days >95°F

9 days

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

28 days

Heat Days >95°F

9 days

Before moving from Idaho Springs, CO to Palmer Lake, CO

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Palmer Lake, CO for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Idaho Springs, CO. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Idaho Springs to Palmer Lake moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Palmer Lake, CO by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Idaho Springs, CO vs Palmer Lake, CO

How do the cost estimates for Idaho Springs, CO and Palmer Lake, CO compare?

Palmer Lake, CO has a modeled overall cost index 3.8% lower than Idaho Springs, CO. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Idaho Springs, CO, the model estimates $145,254 in Palmer Lake, CO. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Idaho Springs, CO and Palmer Lake, CO?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,930/month in Idaho Springs, CO and $1,810/month in Palmer Lake, CO. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.